Steven Spielberg to Set Record for Most Deaths in G-Rated Film

DreamWorks has acquired a pitch by Cory Goodman (Priest), which insiders have described as the first G-rated movie to have more deaths than any "Rambo" film. The studio is setting up the project as a directing vehicle for "How to Train Your Dragon" helmer Chris Sanders. Steven Spielberg will produce.

The story revolves around a wish-granting genie who hasn't perfected his craft and is now being hunted by all the unsatisfied wish-makers. He then meets a young boy and makes him an unexpected offer. Sources claim that the boy will somehow go on a killing spree to protect the genie.

There is no word if the deaths will actually be shown or just implied. Either way, this won't be the first G-rated film to tackle death; "Lion King," "Old Yeller" and "Bambi" have all done it.

A person close to DreamWorks said that the new film may include as many as 50 deaths. But the story, at its core, is a harmless tale about a boy and his genie.

"Cory wrote a smart, touching story for the entire family," said a DreamWorks spokesperson. "Children won't be able to stop smiling while Dads will enjoy the non-stop violence. It's got something for everyone."

Goodman was previously in talks with Universal Pictures to develop the film, but the studio recently abandoned negotiations. DreamWorks jumped in with expectations that Spielberg will be able to convince MPAA to give the film a 'G' rating. New MPAA chief Chris Dodd is a long-time friend of the helmer.

I thought the Record for Most Deaths in a G-Rated Film was set by Pixar with Finding Nemo. This opening scene featured a deadly barracuda slaughtering Coral (Nemo’s Mom) and thousands of Nemo’s brothers and sisters as fish eggs. Then on top of that traumatizing poor Marlin by making him an over anxious father as well as his socially ineptitudes in life. Not to mention the birth defect for little Nemo who sports a gimpy fin. Pretty violent beginning for a supposed G-rated family film. Thanks Pixar for scarring young kids and teaching them about hard death.